So for those out there who deal with these things, how do you deal? What are your coping strategies, how do you keep your writing and creative life on track even when your brain chemistry wants to derail ALL THE THINGS?
[Note for context: I've been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia, Asperger's syndrome, fibromyalgia, and generalized anxiety disorder.]
My cocktail of disorders can make any number of things difficult. Focusing. Multitasking. Sitting up. Standing. Remembering things. Among many others. So, I can relate to some of what you've written.
To answer your questions, my coping mechanisms range from setting aside days to let myself not work (i.e. giving myself permission to just step back and feel all the feels), to shutting down socializing/communication while I focus entirely on writing. Ironically, the PTSD and agoraphobia work okay with this, since they allow me to be sequestered away with my work.
Beyond that, though, I've found coffee (well, caffeine, specifically) focuses me. I've heard that's the case with a lot of folks who have Asperger's or ADD, so there's that. I also go on walks with my dog to try to clear my head, agoraphobia/PTSD/fibro allowing. My therapist has "prescribed" yoga as another method for clearing out some of the anxiety.
Compassion toward myself has to be the biggest piece of the puzzle, for me. Reminding myself that I'm allowed to feel these things, and that it's okay if I don't write today, if that's what's best for my mental health. I just know how hard it can be to find a balance between "not writing today/tomorrow" and "not writing for six months because I can't bear to do it." The latter typically isn't an issue for me, but I know it has been for many others.
Writing serves as a sort of therapy for me, too. Which isn't to say my stories are written for the purpose of therapeutic catharsis, but I do find my experiences work their way into my characters in unexpected ways, and it helps me get the story typed out.
Going to therapy for my disabilities has been a tremendous help as well. I know it's a privilege to be able to do so, and that therefore that's not an option for everyone, but if it is an option, I recommend it... providing one finds a therapist who's a good fit.
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Date: 2012-06-19 09:06 pm (UTC)[Note for context: I've been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia, Asperger's syndrome, fibromyalgia, and generalized anxiety disorder.]
My cocktail of disorders can make any number of things difficult. Focusing. Multitasking. Sitting up. Standing. Remembering things. Among many others. So, I can relate to some of what you've written.
To answer your questions, my coping mechanisms range from setting aside days to let myself not work (i.e. giving myself permission to just step back and feel all the feels), to shutting down socializing/communication while I focus entirely on writing. Ironically, the PTSD and agoraphobia work okay with this, since they allow me to be sequestered away with my work.
Beyond that, though, I've found coffee (well, caffeine, specifically) focuses me. I've heard that's the case with a lot of folks who have Asperger's or ADD, so there's that. I also go on walks with my dog to try to clear my head, agoraphobia/PTSD/fibro allowing. My therapist has "prescribed" yoga as another method for clearing out some of the anxiety.
Compassion toward myself has to be the biggest piece of the puzzle, for me. Reminding myself that I'm allowed to feel these things, and that it's okay if I don't write today, if that's what's best for my mental health. I just know how hard it can be to find a balance between "not writing today/tomorrow" and "not writing for six months because I can't bear to do it." The latter typically isn't an issue for me, but I know it has been for many others.
Writing serves as a sort of therapy for me, too. Which isn't to say my stories are written for the purpose of therapeutic catharsis, but I do find my experiences work their way into my characters in unexpected ways, and it helps me get the story typed out.
Going to therapy for my disabilities has been a tremendous help as well. I know it's a privilege to be able to do so, and that therefore that's not an option for everyone, but if it is an option, I recommend it... providing one finds a therapist who's a good fit.